Dutchess BOCES’ Adult Learning Institute (ALI) encourages everyone to invest in their future by taking one (or more) of its varied career trade classes that touch on everything from learning how to wire a house to mastering the art of cooking.
This fall, ALI is offering courses in the following areas: Construction, Health Science, Law Enforcement and Safety, Education and Training, Transportation and Hospitality and Tourism.
Below are two stories of students who are excelling in current programs.
Automotive
Antonio Perez’s interest in cars started with admiring his brother’s cool vehicles parked outside and handing him tools, which eventually led to him helping his brother make repairs on them. He chose the ALI Automotive Technology 1 course to perfect his skills and is excited to take the second course. Perez appreciates how it made him self-sufficient, where he developed an understanding of basic auto maintenance.
“I can hold my own when it comes to simple maintenance, especially oil and fluid changes,” Perez explained. “This is very hands-on and that’s the way that I learn.”
Perez gives high marks to teacher for bringing his knowledge from being a technician at an Acura dealership to Perez and his classmates. “He’s just an awesome guy,” Perez said of Kuczyra. “The class is very friendly and welcoming.”
Once Perez becomes Automotive Service Excellence certified, the industry standard credential for automotive mechanics and technicians, job opportunities are plentiful.
“I know a lot of people who did automotive stuff that are working on heavy machinery, diesels; at Metro North they’re working on any kind of heavy machinery,” Perez said. “It can take you anywhere.”
Welding Foundations
ALI’s Welding Foundations programs consist of three courses where students become certified in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s 30-hour general industry course first and then tackle various types of welding in the later courses.
Nicholas Spinosa has enjoyed spending ample time in the welding booths practicing the skills he learned in class and working with the numerous tools and materials available. He was inspired to take up the trade by a friend who works in welding and has found that he is just getting better and better at it every day. “I gave it a try and ended up really liking it,” Spinosa said. “I like using my creativity and going in there to do what I have to do.”
A good teacher makes a world of difference and Spinosa praised Dempsey Burris, who also teaches welding at the Career & Technical Institute, for being clear and concise. “My teacher’s awesome,” Spinosa said of Burris. “He explains things very well.”
Spinosa gives high remarks to ALI and recommends taking a class.
“They definitely should give it a try,” Spinosa said. “There’s a lot of opportunities out there.”
New programs
ALI is launching two new programs in the coming year: Vocational Math Support is a program for individuals wanting to improve their foundational math skills to support career advancement or additional education. It starts in spring 2027.
Foundations of a Teacher’s Aide provides training to prepare individuals for support roles in educational environments. It starts this summer.
In addition to career classes, ALI offers enrichment classes in a variety of areas, including auto repair, carpentry, defensive driving, bartending and residential wiring and plumbing.
For information on any of the programs mentioned, call 845-483-3640 or come to the ALI Open House from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, at the Dutchess BOCES Conference Center, 5 BOCES Road, Poughkeepsie, NY.